Electric-railway system



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

WITN ESSES BY M h y ATTORNEYSI AN UREw B.GRAHAM. FHUTO-LITHQWASHINGTON. D C

(N0 Model.) 4 SheetS-Sh6et2.

n B. vE. OSBORN;

ELECTRIC RAILWAY SYSTEM..

No. 555,515. Patented Mam?, 1895.

No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 B. E. OSBORN.4 ELE CTRIC RAILWAY SYSTEM.

No. 556,516. Patented Mar. 17, 1896.

'I im m /5 (5% if r 1 M1: BY g ATTORNEYS.

ANDREW B GRAHAM.PMOm-UTHDMASHINGTUN.D C

(No Model.) 4 Mamas-'Sheet` 4.

13.3. OSBORN. y ELECTRIC RAILWAY SYSTEM.

No. 556,516. -A Patented Mar. 17,1896.

WITNESSES:

f INVENTOR l kw-Mm gf/M YM A ATTORNEYSy zij UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

'creen nosnonn, or AUBURN,imT ront;

ELECTRIC-RAILWAY SYSTEM.

SPCFCATON forming part of Letters Patent No. 556,516, dated March 17, 1896. Application filed September 3, 1895. Serial No. 561,241. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom'it may concern:

Be it known that l, BYRQN E. OSBORN, of Auburn, in the county of Cayuga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electric-Railway Systems, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description. Y l

My invention relates to improvements in electric-railway systems of the class set forth in my prior application, Serial No. 517,511, which are provided with a main or power conductor for conveying an electric current to a l,trolley or terminal movable along the railway,

has for its object the production of a de-.

vice which is particularly effective in opera-V tionand reduces to a minimum the liability of injury t0 persons and animals by contact therewith; and to this end it consists, essentially.,in the general construction and arrangement of the component parts of the system.

In describing this invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a` part of this specification, in which like letters l indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a vertical section, partly broken away, of a portion of a railway system embodying my invention and parts of a vehicle .'movable along the same. Fig. 2 is an isoinetric view of a portion of a railway system. Fiig. 8 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the trolleys or terminals of the movable ve- Ellicle., the support for the trolleys or terminals, :and a portion of the casing or conduit for the line `@Onductors Fig. el. is a vertical section takenon line 4 4, Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a vertical section 4o a slightly-modied construction of my .inM-Qtion.

A represents Za cas-mg 0r conduit, B the main concealed conductor, and G C C2 eX- posed conductors. l

The casing or conduit Alis Q-f -suitable form, size, and construction .and `is arranged between the rails A upon desirablegsupports, as cross-ties A2.

-, means. (N ot illustrated?) Suitable iwliets This .casing orccnduit vpleferably consists ofy separate secticnSuf-.f-Orlned; of insulating material and arranged one above the other and secured together by ifasteningx length than the thickness and width of said casing. The pockets or chambers a preferably consist of cut-outs formed in the adjacent faces of vthe sections a, and they are closed by supports D, presentlydescribed.

The main cond u'ctorB, which is of any desirable form, size, and construction, is incased or concealed by the casing or conduit A and is passed through the inner ends of the pockets or chambers c. An insulating coating (not illustrated) additionally protects the entire surface of the conductor B, with the exception of the portions thereof arranged in the pockets or chambers a', which are'left bare for permitting electric contact therewith. The conductor B conveys the main current for operating the motors e of a vehicle E, which is partially indicated by dotted lines at Fig. 1, and is movable over my improved railway system, and said conductor B is con nected by a wire b (shown by dotted lines, Fig. 1) to a suitable current-generator, as a dynamo B', grounded by a wire b'.

The conductor C preferably consists of a continuous flat strip secured to the upper face of the casing orconduit A by suitable fastening means. (Not illustrated.) This conductor conveys a current of less venergy than the main current and is preferably connected by a wire c and a resistance device c to the dyT namo B'. The conductors C Cr2 preferably consist of separate divisions or sections c2 c3, each secured to the upper face ofthe casing or conduit A by suitable fastening means. (Not illustrated.) The divisions of the c011- ductors C' C2 are substantially equal in length to the distance between the centers of the pockets or chambers a and are of less length than the vehicle E, and the central portions of said divisions are arranged above the pockets aand are electrically connected to depend IOO the vehicle E and are suitably connected to said support for permitting its vertical movement. The arms F5 are preferably each provided with laterally-extending proj ections FG, which are movable in lengthwise slots formed in arms F7 projecting upwardly from the support F3, and consequently said support F3 is effectively guided and limited in its vertical movement and is prevented from lateral movement. i

The frames f f 2 for the trolleys or terminals F F2 are formed of conducting material and are connected by wires f 3 f4 to iixed terminals f5 f6 carried by an insulating-support f7 interposed between the upper ends of the arms The terminals f5 f are connected by wiresfsf9 to additionally fixed terminals f1" fu, which are normally separated and may be connected by a switch j' 12 provided with an operating-spindle f13 supported by the vehicle E. It it thus obvious that when the switch flzfconnects the terminals fof a current is free to pass from the conductor C through the trolley F, the wires f3 f8 fg f4, the terminals j'5f10f11 f, and the trolleys or terminals F2 to the sectionalconduetor C2.

The frame f for the trolleys F' F is formed of conducting material and is provided with arms f, which are connected by wires f15 to the brushes e' of the motors e carried by the vehicle E, and said motors are grounded in any suitable manner. As here illustrated, the motors e are connected by Wires f1 f17 to the vehicle-shaft E', which is grounded by the connection f1.8 (indicated by dotted lines at Fig. l) and consisting, preferably, of the wheels for said shaft and the rails A.

The supports D previously mentioned for closing the pockets or chambers a preferably consist of hollow receptacles formed of insulating material and provided with slots (Z in their inner ends for the reception of the main conductor B and stationary supporting-braces B2, which project outwardly from the inner end faces of the pockets or chambers A. Each supportD carries electrically-controlled means actuated by the passage of a current over the conductor C2 and operating to connect the main conductor B to the superimposed section of the conductor C', and this means preferably consists of a contact-piece d, aconnecting-piece d2 andan electromagnet cl3, all of which may be of suitable form, size and construction. The contact-piece d `is provided with a face for engaging the bare adjacent portion of the conductor B and a second engaging face d4 at its upper end. The connecting-piece cl2 is pivoted at. its intermediate portion and is electrically connected to yielding terminals d5, arranged in proximity to the upper face of the support D Y for engaging the terminals c6. One end of the connecting-piece Pis provided with a face d for engaging the face d4, and its opposite end is weighted and provided with a lower face composed of material susceptible to mag- The weighted end of the connectnetism.

ing-piece d2 operates to normally separate said faces d d4 and thereby breaks the circuit from the conductor B to the corresponding division of the conductor C.

The magnet (Z3, which is connected to the ground and the corresponding division of the conductor C2 by wires dT d8, is arranged in proximi tyto the connecting-piece (Z2 and operates to rock the same from its normal position and complete the circuit between the conductors B C', and when said magnet is deenergized the connecting-piece Z2 automatically returns to its normal position until its weighted end engages asuitable stop d, which preferably consists of a permanent magnet for attracting said weighted end and preventing vibration of the connecting-piece by passing vehicles. The wire d8 is preferably electrically connected to a yielding terminal dm arranged in proximity to the upper face of the support D for engaging the terminal c7, and the wire (Z7 is connected to a terminal d provided with a removable ground connection dw. As previously described, the divisions of the conductor C2 are successively connected to the conductor C and a mild or weak current passes to the ground through said divisions and the corresponding magnet d3. As the magnets cl3 are energized they successively overcome the action of the permanent mag nets di and connect the corresponding divisions of the conductor C to the main conductor B, and the main or strong current passes through said divisions and energizes the motors e. It is thus obvious that there is no liability of injury to persons and animals from contact with the conductors C C2 for the mild current and that contact with the only live portion or divisions of the conductor C is prevented by the overlying vehicle E.

It is sometimes necessary or advisable to drive the vehicle E by a generator carried thereby, and at Fig. l I have indicated by dotted lines a storage-batteryt' and wires 7J i2 for connecting the battery to the terminals f5 flo. I have also shown each support D as provided with a switch t? for connecting its terminal du with a wire 4 (shown byl dotted lines, Figs. l and 4) and connected to the IOO IIO

conductor C, and when this connection is made the ground d1? is disengaged from said terminal du. The current from the storagebattery is thus free to pass through the conductors C C2 and electromagnets cl3 for controlling the connection of the conductors B C'. It is also sometimes advisable to signal the motive-station from the passing vehicle, and consequently a signal 7' and a telephone j are connected by wires jgjj4 and anormally-open switch j to the terminals f5 f6, and a signal and telephone j j? are connected by wires j jfjo and a normally-closed switch j to the resistance device c and the conductor C.

At Fig. 5 I have shown a slightly-modified construction of my invention, in which the conductor C11 is provided with a pen dent polepiece 7s, which is located at the end of one pole of the magnet 613 connected to the conductor C20 and attracts the connecting-piece d20 for connecting the conductors B10 C11. Suitable magnets lo are arranged on opposite sides of the trolley or terminal F11 for magnetizing the pendent pole-piece 7c, and reinforcing the action of the mild current passing through the magnet d3 in order that vibration of the connecting-piece d20 may be obviated.

The operation of my invention will be readily understood upon reference to the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings, and it is obvious that it is particularly effective in operation and reduces to a minimum the liability of injury to persons and animals by contact therewith. It is also 0bvious, however, that the exact detail construction and arrangement of my railway system may be somewhat varied without departing from the spirit of my invention, and hence I do not herein specifically limit myself to such exact detail construction and arrangement.

I'Iaving thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In an electric-railway system, the combination of a casing or conduit provided with pockets or chambers extending inwardly from one of its longitudinal faces and formed of less height and length than the thickness and width of the casing or conduit, a line conductor arranged in the casing or conduit and passed through the pockets or chambers, and supports movable in the pockets or chambers toward and away from the line conductor and provided with means for engaging said conductor, substantially as described.

2. In an electric-railway system, the combination of a casing or conduit provided with pockets or chambers extending inwardly from one of its longitudinal faces and formed of less height and length than the thickness and width of the casing or conduit, aline conductor arranged in the casing or conduit and passed through the pockets or chambers, stationary braces projecting from the inner end sides of the pockets or chambers for support- 'ing the line conductor, and supports movable in the pockets or chambers toward and away from the line conductor and provided with means for engaging said conductor, substantially as specified.

In an electric-railway system, the combination of a casing or conduit provided with pockets or chambers extendinginwardly from one of its longitudinal faces and formed of less height and length than the thickness and width of the casing or conduit, a line conductor arranged in the casing or conduit and passed through the pockets or chambers, and supports for closing the pockets or chambers consisting of hollow receptacles movable t0- ,ward and away from the line conductor and provided with means for engaging said conductor, substantially as set forth.

4. In an electric-railway system, the combination of a casing or conduit provided with pockets or chambers extending inwardly from one of its longitudinal faces and formed of less height and length than the thickness and width of the casing or conduit, a line con ductor arranged in the casing or conduit and passedthrough the pockets or chambers, stationary braces projecting from the inner end sides of the pockets or chambers for supporting the line conductor, and supports for closing the pockets or chambers consisting of hollow receptacles movable toward and away from the line conductor and having their inner ends provided with slots for receiving the line conductor and the adjacent ends of the stationary braces, and means arranged Within said receptacles for engaging the line conductor, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In an electric-railway system, the combination of a casing or conduit consisting of upper and lower sections having cut-outs in their adjacent faces aligned with each other for forming pockets or chambers in the casing or conduit, said cut-outs extending Ainwardly from one longitudinal side face of the casing or conduit toward its opposite side face and being formed of less height and length than the thickness and width of the sections, a line conductor arranged in the casing or conduit, supports for closing the pockets or chambers, and means mounted on the supports for engaging the line conductor, substantially as set forth.

6. In an electric-railway system, the combination of a line conductor for the main current, a second conductor for a current of reduced energy, a moving vehicle, a sectional conductor for conveying the current to the vehicle, a series of independently-movable connecting-pieces for connecting the line conductor, said sectional conductor, permanent magnets for holding the connecting-pieces in their normal position, and electromagnets for actuating said connecting-pieces, substantially as specified.

7. In an electric-railway system, the combination of a concealed or covered line conductor, a grounded currentgenerator connected to said conductor, an exposed conductor for the passage of a current of reduced energy having one end grounded, a conductor for conveying the current to the vehicle, a series of independently-movable connectingpieces for connecting the concealed or covered line conductor to the latter conductor, permanent magnets for holding the connectingpieces in their normal position, a series of grounded electromagnets for actuating said connecting-pieces, and' a moving vehicle connected to the ground and provided with means for controlling the operation of the electromagnets, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In an electric-railway system, the combination of a concealed or covered line conduc- IIO tor for the main current, an exposed conductor for the passage of a current of reduced energy, a moving vehicle, a conductor for conveying the current to the vehicle, independently-movable connectingpieces for connecting the concealed or covered line conductor to the latter conductor, permanent magnets for holding the connecting-pieces in their normal position, clcctromagnets connected to the exposed conductor for actuating said connecting-pieces, a current-generator carried by the vehicle, and connections for connecting the current-generator to the electromagnets, substantially as described.

S). In an e1cctricrailWay system, the combination of a casing or conduit provided with pockets or chambers extendin g inwardly from one longitudinal face, a line conductor Within the casing or conduit, a continuous conductor and separated sectional conductors arranged upon the top face of the casing or conduit, a vehicle movable along the easing or conduit for successively connecting the divisions of one of the sectional conductors to the continuous conductor upon the top face of the casing or conduit, connecting-pieces arranged in the pockets or chambers for successively connecting the divisions of the other sectional conductor to the line conductor Within the casing or conduit, permanent magnets arranged in said pockets or chambers for holding the connecting-pieces in their norma-lposition and electromagnets arranged in said pockets or chambers and connected to the divisions of the former sectional conductor for controlling the operation of said connecting-pieces, substantiallgT as specified.

l0. In an electric-railway system, the combination of a casing or conduit provided with pockets or chambers extendinginwardly from 4 one longitudinal face, a line conductor Within the casing or conduit, a continuous conductor and separated sectional conductors arranged upon the top face oi' the casin g or conduit, a vehicle movable along the easing 4 or conduit for successively connecting the divisions of one of the sectional conductors to the continuous conductor upon the top face of the casing or conduit, terminals projecting Within the pockets or chambers and connected 5 to the divisions of the sectional conductors, supports for closing the pockets or chambers consisting of hollow receptacles provided with terminals for frictionally engaging the former terminals, branch electric conducting-pieces 5 within the supports connected to the line conductor Within the casing or conduit, conneetingpieces within the supports having corresponding ends movable into engagement With branch electric conducting-pieces and 6 their opposite ends Weighted for normally forcing said connected pieces from operative position, permanent magnets for holding the connecting-pieces in their normal position, and electromagnets in the pockets or cham- 6 bers for actuating the cond ucting-pieces, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed myname, in the presence of two attesting witnesses, at Auburn, in the count)7 of 7 Cayuga, in the State of New York, this 15th day of August, 1895.

BYRON E. OSBORN.

XVitnesses THos. J. ARUNDEL, C. J. VARNE. 

